Signal-recorder.



PATENTED JUNE 9, 1908. W. 0. REES.

SIGNAL RECORDER. APPLIOATIOIN FILED M227, 1907.

3 SHEETS'-SHBET 1.

TH! NORRIS PITIRS C0,, WASHINGTON, n. c.

PATENTED JUNE 9, 1908.

W. 0.- REES. SIGNAL RECORDER.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 27,1907.

a SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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WILLIAM O. REES, OF DENVER, COLORADO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO KERSEY G.OOSLEY, OF DENVER, COLORADO.

SIGNAL-RECORDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 9, 1908.

Application filed May 27, 1967. Serial No. 375,869.

\ T all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM O. REES, a citizen of the United States,residing in the city and county of Denver and State of Colorado, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Signal-Recorders; and Ido declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description ofthe invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of referencemarked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in railway signal recorders, myobject being to provide a device operated by clock mechanism and adaptedto automatically record the throwing of a switch for the giving of asignal of any kind.

My improved recorder is also designed to indicate the time during whichthe switch is closed or the other signal given.

In order to accomplish this object I equip the face of an ordinary clockwith a recording dial connected with the post of the hour hand andadapted to rotate therewith. A suitable marking device is mounted. inproximity to the said dial and adapted to engage the same.

This marking device if allowed to remain in its normal position wouldform a continuous circle onthe dial after the latter has made a completerevolution. The marking device, however, is connected with the means foroperating the switch or other signal, whereby as the operating mechanismis actuated, the position of the pointer on the dial is changed, wherebythe line indicated by the marker is made in a different arc from thatformed by the marker before the said mechanism was operated, and whenthe operating mechanism is reversed, the pointer is allowed to resumeits normal position thus continuing the marking of an arc coincidingwith the original arc prior to the throwing of the switch or operatingthe signaling device.

In order that the dial may perform the recording function for the entiretwenty-four hours, or perform its function during the time that the hourhand is making two complete revolutions, I provide means forautomatically throwing the marking device outwardly, as soon as therecording dial has made one complete revolution, whereby the markingdevice records upon the dial nearer the outer edge or circumference ofthe latter during the second half of the day or twentyfour hour period.

Having briefly outlined my improved construction, I will proceed todescribe the same in detail reference being made to the accoman indrawin in which is illustrated an embodiment thereof.

' In this drawing, Figure 1 is a top plan view of my improved signalingrecorder. Fig.2 is a central vertical section of the same, the clockmechanism, however, being concealed. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan viewin detail, similar to Fig. 1, but showing the changed position of theparts due to the operation of the switch or the giving of any othersignal. Fig. 4 is a plan view in detail of my improved recording dial.Fig. 5 is a top plan view of my improved device shown on a smaller scaleand in connection with means for op erating a switch. This view islargely diagrammatic and is only intended to illustrate the general ideaof the invention.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the views.

Let the numeral 5 designate a suitable casing in which is located aclock movement 6 having an arbor 7 upon which the hour hand 8 ismounted. The ordinary clock face or dial 9, is provided with the usualcharacters for designating the time. Outside of the time dial is locatedthe signal recording dial 10 which is connected with the arbor 7 byspokes 12, the said spokes terminating at their inner extremities in ahub 18 made fast upon the arbor whereby it is made to rotate therewith.The hands of the clock are located outside of the recordin dial 10 inorder to prevent their being partia lly concealed by the spokes orradial arms 12. The recording dial 10 is provided with a removable card14 containing time indications corresponding with those of the clockdial, that is to say from 1 to 12 both inclusive. This card when placedin position on the dial 10, is so arranged that the numerals thereonincrease in reverse order from the time indications on the clock dial.For instance when the card is placed in position on the traveling dial,assuming that it is twelve oclock, the numeral 12 of the card will be inalinement with the 12 mark on the clock dial. The numeral 1 on therecord card, however, will be at the left of the numeral 12 and thenumerals on the recording dial will increase from 1 toward the left orin the reverse order from the time indications on the clock dial. Hencewhen it is one oclock, the numeral 1 011 the record card will be inradial alinement with the 12 mark of the clock dial; while when it istwo oclock the numeral 2 will be in the aforesaid position and so on.The traveling dial 10 is provided with small brads 17 adapted to holdthe record card in place and at the same time allow the same to bereadily removed.

The marking device is provided with a holder 18 pivotally connected at20 with one extremity of a rod 19, the two parts being so connected thatthe part 18 is allowed to swing outwardly to the dotted line position(see Fig. 1) to permit the ready removal of the record card. Thisconnection, however, is such as to prevent the part 18 from moving inthe opposite direction farther than the straight line position, sincethe abutting extremities of the parts 18 and 19, when in the last namedposition engage each other in such a manner as to prevent farthermovement. The rod 19 is provided with a reduced part 21 slidably mountedin vertical projections 22 fast on a plate 23 slidable on a sup port 24having guide flanges 25. Interposed between the forward projection 22,and a shoulder 26 on the rod 19, is a leaf spring 27 composed of twobranches 28 and 29; The branch 28 is secured to the projection 22, whilethe branch 29 bears against the shoulder 26 and is free to move thereon.The part 21 of the rod 19 which engages openings on the projections 22,is formed angular in cross section to prevent its turning therein. Therear extremity of this red. is threaded as shown at 30 and a sleeve 31forming a stop is threaded thereon, the said sleeve being provided witha head 32 for the purpose, the rod being threaded in the head, While thesleeve beyond the head is large enough to receive the angular part 21 ofthe rod. By adjusting this sleeve on the red, the return movement of therod after it has been actuated may be regulated and controlled. To therear extremity of the rod 1.9 is attached a cap 33 to which is connectedone extremity of a link 34 whose opposite extremity is connected with anarm 35 of a bell crank lever 36 fulcrumed at 37 and whose opposite arm38 is connected at 39 with a coil spring 40 whose opposite extremity isconnected with a pull rod 41, the said rod being connected at itsextremity remote from the spring 40 with an arm 42 of a triple armedlever 43 fulcrumed at 44. An arm 45 of this lever is connected with arod 46 for actuating the switch tongues 47 of a track 48. The lever 43is also provided with a manipulating arm 49.

The plate 23 is connected with the stationary support 24, by means ofscrews A passing through slots B formed in the slidable plate wherebythe latter is freely movable. The heads of the screws, however, arewider than the slot to retain the slide in place.

A spring 50 is connected by means of a pin 51 with one of theprojections 22 while the opposite extremity of the spring is connected.as shown at 53 with a stationary support 24. By virtue of this spring,the slidable plate 23 is normally under tension. to move rearwardly. Itis locked, however, by one extremity 54 of a relatively long lever 55fulcrumed at 56. The rear arm 57 of this lever is acted on by a leafspring 58 whereby the extremity 54 is normally held in position to lockthe plate against rearward movement. The lever 55 is provided with aforwardly projecting arm 59 whose forward extremity is in position to beacted on by a pin 60 carried. by one of the radial arms or spokes 12 ofthe traveling dial. llence every time the said dial has made a completerevolution or every time a period of twelve hours has elapsed, the pin60 acting on the arm 59 of the lever will move the arm 55 sufficientlyto release the plate 23 and allow the latter to move rearwardly, until arecess 61 in the plate 23 is reached, when the extremity 54 of the leverwill engage said notch and lock the plate 23 against further movement.By vir tue of this construction, the marking device 63 is movedoutwardly on the record card in a radial direction whereby its functionwill be performed on a portion of the said. card nearer the periphery ofthe same.

The marking device 63 may be of any suitable construction. As shown inthe drawing it is in the form of a pen or pencil inserted in an openingformed in the pivoted device 18 and is so adjusted that its point isnormally in contact with the record card.

When the device is in operation it may be assumed that it is twelveoclock, in which event the numeral 12 on the record card and also on theouter circumference of the traveling dial which is also correspondinglymarked, is in alinement with the twelve oclock figure of the clock dial.It will also be assumed that the marking device 63 has its point at thespot designated 65 on the record card. Now as the arbor of the clockmoves, the pencil forms a dotted are 66 during the first hour of time.switch or operates any desired signal by actuating the lever 43, wherebythe marking device is drawn outwardly on the dial as indicated by theoffset or radial dotted line 67. The larger dotted are 68 is then formedduring the time that the switch or signal is held in the adjustedposition. Again as soon as the lever 43 is released, the spring 27 actsto return the marker to its inward position as indicated by the offsetor radial dotted line 69. The record card. indicates that the markerremained in this inward position for a number of hours forming the innerdotted are The operator then. throws the was done.

or until the radial dotted line 71 is formed, when the signal or switchis again operated drawing the marker outwardly and retaining it in thisposition during the formation of the dotted are 7 2 after which themarker is again released as shown by the radial line 73 and allowed toreturn to its inward position which it retains during the completion ofthe circuit as indicated by the inner dotted are 74. As soon as thiscomplete revolution is obtained, the pin 60 acts on the arm 59 of thelever 55, to disengage the extremity 54 from the position immediately inthe rear of the slide 23, whereby the latter acted on by its spring 50,is moved to the position shown in Fig. 1, whereby the marking device isthrown outwardly to the position shown in the last named figure, afterwhich, the lever extremity 54 engages the recess 61 in the said plateand locks the latter against further movement. After this occurs theoperation of the device continues as heretofore explained except thatthe dotted arcs and the radial or offset lines are formed on a portionof the record card farther from the center. By virtue of thisconstruction, the device is adapted for use during the entiretwenty-four hours without change. After such a period has expired themarked card is readily removable by throwing the pivoted part 18outwardly to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 1 when the said cardmay be easily removed from its dial and a new card substituted therefor,after which the pivoted marker holder is returned to its normal positionand the operation goes on as heretofore explained.

It is evident that by the use of a device of this character, no possibledispute can arise as to whether a certain switch was thrown or closed ora certain signal given, since the card itself automatically indicatesexactly what That is to say if the switch was thrown or the signaloperated where my improved device is in use, the fact will be indicatedon the record card by the radial or oifset lines and the dotted arcconnecting the said lines farther outwardly than the normal arc. Byusing the device in connection with a clock mechanism, the exact timeduring which the switch was thrown or closed or during which a signalwas left in a given position will be indicated.

It very often happens that after a wreck has occurred, a dispute arisesbetween the trainmen and the station agent as to whether or not a switchwas closed or a signal given. The object of this device is to absolutelysettle all disputes of this character by automatically indicatingwhether or not the signal or switch was operated. If such was the caseit will be noted on the record card by the offset lines and the outerarcs connecting the same as heretofore explained. If such signal orswitch has not been operated, the card will indicate a continuous innercircle formed by the marking device when in its normal position.

In further explanation of the specific con struction of the markingdevice proper as illustrated in the drawing, the said device is looselymounted in the pivoted arm 18 and held in engagement with the recordcard 14 by a coil spring C engaging the arm 18 at one extremity and ashoulder D fast on the marker at the opposite extremity. Hence thetension of this spring acts to hold the marking device in engagementwith the registering card at all times.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a signal recorder, the combination with clock mechanism, having asignal rec- 0rd dial mounted to rotate with the arbor of one of thehands of the said mechanism, of a marking device mounted to engage thesaid dial, actuating mechanism for a signal, and a suitable connectionbetween the said actuating mechanism and the said marking device,comprising an adjustable rod to which the marker is pivoted, guides forsaid rod to engage, and a sliding plate integral with said guideswhereby as the signal is operated the marker is actuated to change itsposition on the marking dial to indicate the operation of the actuatingmechanism, and means for locking said sliding plate in differentpositions so that the record dial will register for more than onerevolution, said locking means automatically operated by the travel ofthe dial substantially as described.

2. In a signal recorder, the combination with clock mechanism having arecord dial connected to move with the arbor of one of the hands of theclock, the said dial being arranged adjacent the clock dial but notconcealing the latter, a marker mounted to engage the recording dialwhereby as the latter rotates with the arbor the marker forms an are onthe record dial struck from the center of the arbor with a predeterminedradius, actuating mechanism for a switch, and a suitable connectionbetween the said mechanism and the marker whereby as the said mechanismis actuated, the position of the marker is changed to cause it to forman arc of a different radius, whereby the record dial indicates themovement of the actuating mechanism, said connection comprising asliding plate provided with apertured lugs,

an adjustable rod passing through said lugs and connected with themarker at one extremity and the switch mechanism at the other extremity,and a means for locking said plate in different positions so that therecord dial may indicate the movement of the actuating mechanism formore than one revolution substantially as described.

3. The combination with a time recording motor, having a record dialmounted on a rotatable part of the motor, a marking device arranged toact on the record dial, means for actuating the device, and a suitableoperative connection between the actuating mechanism and the saidmarker, whereby as the said mechanism is operated, the position of themarker is changed and the operation of the said mechanism indicated onthe record dial, and means whereby the record dial may be used toindicate the operation of the actuating device for more than onerevolution, said means comprising a sliding plate, and a pivoted rodwhich is operated by the travel of the dial and is adapted to lock saidplate in different positions, substantially as described.

4. The combination With clock mechanism having a record dial mountedthereon and having characters corresponding with.

the time subdivisions on the face of the clock, the said dial being soarranged that its characters increase in the reverse order from the timedivisions or subdivisions on the clock face, the said record dial beingmounted to rotate with a moving part of the clock, and a marking devicemounted to engage the record dial and normally under spring tension tochange its position, actuating mechanism for a signal, and a suitablemechanical connection between the actuating mechan ism and the markerwhereby as the said mechanism is operated, the operating act will beindicated on the record dial, substantially as described.

5. In mechanism of the class described, the combination with a clockmovement, of a record dial mounted to turn with an arbor of the saidmovement, a marking device'arranged to act on the said dial, a springacting on the said device to normally hold it a predetermined distancefrom the center of rotation, the said marking device being mounted toreciprocate, actuating mechanism lor a signal or other device, and asuit able connection between the marker and the said mechanism wherebyas the latter is operated, the marker is actuated against the tension ofits spring, the latter serving to return the marker to its normalposition as soon as the power ceases to act 011 the actuating mechanism,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I al'fix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

' WILLIAM O. REES.

Witnesses:

DENA NELSON, A. J. OBR1EN

